Solomon’s Wise Judgment

At the beginning of his reign Solomon built a wall around the city. While he was asleep, God appeared, standing beside him, and gave him the choice of whatever he wanted. He asked for nothing but that wisdom should be given him, counting everything else of little worth. So when he rose from sleep, he took his stand before the sanctuary of God and gave proof of the wisdom God had given him. [a]

Two women lived in one house, and both had given birth to sons at the same time. Three days afterward one of the babies died in the night. While the other woman slept, the dead child’s mother craftily put her own child in its place and took away the living one. A quarrel broke out between them, and in the end the matter was brought before the king. There was no witness, and since both denied any guilt, it was hard to give judgment between them. Then Solomon, using his gift of divine wisdom, ordered the child to be killed and its body divided between the two women who claimed it. One of them agreed to this judgment, but the other would rather give up the boy than see him cut to pieces. From the feeling this woman showed, Solomon concluded that she was the true mother, and he awarded the child to her. The people standing by could not hold back their admiration at this decision, since by his insight he had brought the hidden truth to light.

So the kings of the neighboring nations, admiring his ability and wisdom, sought his friendship and alliance, ready to carry out his commands.